Long term effects on quality of life after transurethral resection of the prostate in Hong Kong

Abstract

Observation of day to day practice has indicated that some patients after transurethral resection of the prostate continue to have long term problems. There is very little known about the long term quality of life issues in Hong Kong males after this procedure. This study aimed to inform processes of discharge planning and follow up by nurses, the family and other health care professionals and to understand the extent and effect of this operation on the quality of life of the client group. The study adopted a Delphi technique utilizing three rounds of data collection. An expert panel of 113 became 'best informants' and were defined as those who were familiar with the situation and willing and able to communicate their ideas. Seventeen items were identified that represented issues translated from the informants own words. Four groups of items were identified; (A) items that had a large effect on the lives of the largest portion of informants; (B) items that had a large effect on the lives of the least proportion of informants; (C) items that had a small effect on the largest proportion of informants; (D) The items that had no effect on the lives of the largest proportion of informants. The 17 items provide an outline of the extent and effect of TURP on the quality of life of Hong Kong men 1-2 years after TURP. This can be used to inform follow up procedures which are best introduced 12 months after the date of operation.